Posted on 02/17/2014 5:10:33 PM PST by jazusamo
The Afghanistan government's recent release of dozens of imprisoned terrorists, many of whom had killed Americans, was a galling betrayal of those Americans who died defending Afghanistan against the Taliban terrorists — as well as those Americans who have returned home with arms or legs missing, or with minds traumatized beyond repair.
If we learn nothing else from the bitter tragedy of the war in Afghanistan, it should be that we should put an end forever to the self-indulgence of thinking that we can engage in "nation-building" and creating "democracy" in countries where nothing resembling democracy has ever existed.
It would be a feat to achieve one of these objectives, but to achieve both at the same time is a gamble that makes playing Russian roulette look like a harmless pastime.
F.A. Hayek said, "We shall not grow wiser until we learn that much that we have done was very foolish." Nothing is more foolish — and immoral — than sending men into battle to risk their lives winning victories that are later lost by politicians for political reasons.
That started long before the war in Afghanistan. Vietnam was a classic example. Years after that war was over, the Communist victors themselves admitted that they lost militarily in Vietnam, as they knew they would. But they won politically in America, with the help of Americans, including the media — as they also knew they would.
The war in Iraq was more of the same. American troops won that war but our politicians lost the peace. Terrorists have now taken over, and raised Al Qaeda flags, in some Iraqi towns that American troops liberated at the cost of many lives.
(Excerpt) Read more at creators.com ...
We could actually succeed at nation building, but it would take far more resources and time than this nation would be willing to invest. It would also have to start with total annihilation (and capitulation) of the enemy plus a very large scale occupation force. Plus, it would also require a belief in our own cultural supremacy and right to rule over the beaten nation.
Our problem is we tried to nation build on the cheap, and we allowed the existing culture to survive rather than crushing it and substituting our own. That’s not meant as an insult to our many brave men and women who gave their lives in Iraq or Afghanistan. They did the absolute best they could with the mission they were given, but both Iraq and Afghanistan still have Muslim governments. That’s a loss cause almost from the get go, and we will see this confirmed more and more as time goes on.
I agree with Thomas Sowell. Bring ‘em all home, and carpet bomb the place on the way out.
That works for me.
There will be no end to ‘nation-building.’ We can fight a war no other way unless in a truly existential crisis, and then only maybe. Our presidents are to a man megalomaniacs once they assume the position- possibly excepting Reagan.
“possibly excepting Reagan.”
And George Washington. And DDE.
And George Washington. And DDE.
Actually I was thinking of post WW2 but neglected to add that.
Excepting Wilson, presidents prior may have been fools regarding allies (FDR) but they didn’t seem to think they could change human nature.
A lesson that could be learned for a lot of people with time to spare...
Watch the “Shoes of the Fisherman”, there is a deep down lesson to be learned, that is illustrated in that film...
When politicians and diplomats try to win wars by getting their hands dirty, with empty promises, once those promises are betrayed by those giving it, how can ANYONE ever believe them (us) ever again with ANY credibility???
I certainly could not...
This treachery by Karzai is an example of how much we have lost our credibility in such a short period of time...
Kerry is such a walking POS under all of our shoes, the American and allied deaths which WILL occur because of this release would not happen if the confidence and respect our country should be getting from Afghanistan’s government would have not been so strained...
And to think my nephew is heading over there very soon to have to deal with this increased risk...
A totally unacceptable condition this far into our efforts to assist getting that region stabilized, if it could have been...But thanks to the Muslim/Communist in Chief and his political ilk, more troops are getting killed over there every year than even the worst year Bush was in charge...
Funny how that gets overlooked by the enablers in the media...
Screw them all...
Sowell is now dissing Cruz. Apparently, he has gone over to the other side:
http://spectator.org/articles/57851/cruz-control
oh, boy. WalMartians...perfect word.
Yes, I’ve read it and discussed it with others and will be posting it shortly. I’m surprised and disappointed with the good Dr.
“If we learn nothing else from the bitter tragedy of the war in Afghanistan, it should be that we should put an end forever to the self-indulgence of thinking that we can engage in “nation-building” and creating “democracy” in countries where nothing resembling democracy has ever existed.”
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Matthew 7:5
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.
Thomas Sowell:
If we learn nothing else from the bitter tragedy of the war in Afghanistan, it should be that we should put an end forever to the self-indulgence of thinking that we can engage in "nation-building" and creating "democracy" in countries where nothing resembling democracy has ever existed.
It would be a feat to achieve one of these objectives, but to achieve both at the same time is a gamble that makes playing Russian roulette look like a harmless pastime.
F.A. Hayek said, "We shall not grow wiser until we learn that much that we have done was very foolish." Nothing is more foolish — and immoral — than sending men into battle to risk their lives winning victories that are later lost by politicians for political reasons.
That started long before the war in Afghanistan. Vietnam was a classic example. Years after that war was over, the Communist victors themselves admitted that they lost militarily in Vietnam, as they knew they would. But they won politically in America, with the help of Americans, including the media — as they also knew they would.
The war in Iraq was more of the same.
Bttt.
5.56mm
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